Researchers know that getting enough high quality sleep is critical to all aspects of mental and physical health. If you’re having trouble achieving a good night’s rest, it’s important to reach out for help sooner rather than later.
An occasional restless night is usually nothing to be concerned about. But when poor sleep becomes routine, it’s time to take action and find a way to get the rest your body and brain need to thrive.
Pennsylvania residents can turn to certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Grace Muthami for help with insomnia. Through her telepsychiatry practice, Brightmind Wellness, Grace can work with you to determine the likely cause of your sleep disruption and begin a path toward more restful, restorative sleep.
Getting enough rest is a central component of healthy living. Even though you aren’t consciously aware of what happens while you sleep, the processes that occur during it are essential to keeping your body and brain functioning well.
Sleep plays vital roles in weight management, immune function, heart health, memory and learning, growth and development, and so much more. Your body performs numerous brain health functions while you rest, including removing toxins from your brain.
Without proper rest, you enter each day ill-equipped to manage the challenges presented at home, at work, and even in social settings. Perhaps more importantly, the damage of sleep deprivation may be slowly accumulating behind the scenes, increasing your risk of numerous chronic diseases and negative health outcomes.
Everyone experiences occasional restless nights. Stressful events like a looming deadline at work or a child’s illness, or even the excitement of an upcoming vacation, can get in the way of a good night’s sleep.
Chronic insomnia goes beyond a short period of poor sleep. It’s a serious sleep disorder characterized by symptoms that last for three months or more. Here are a few hallmarks of insomnia to keep an eye out for:
If you experience these signs of insomnia, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional care. The dangers of chronic insomnia are too serious to ignore.
Many different things can lead to insomnia. Sometimes, life throws you challenges that make it difficult to rest peacefully. For some, chronic health conditions or the treatments used to manage them can have side effects that interfere with sleep.
Mental health issues are a common cause of sleep disruption. Depression, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder can all pose obstacles to good sleep. It’s also important to understand that not getting enough rest can heighten the symptoms of all of these mental health conditions, creating a cycle of negative outcomes.
Consuming too much caffeine, excessive screen time before bed, and even your diet can be contributing factors. Obstructive sleep apnea is also a leading cause of poor quality sleep.
Treating insomnia begins with an exploration of your symptoms and working to determine their cause. Through telehealth visits, Grace works closely with you to get to the bottom of what’s causing your sleep issues. Treating those underlying conditions can go a long way toward improving your sleep.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a powerful tool in enhancing sleep. This form of talk therapy teaches you how to identify disruptive or negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts that are healthier and more conducive to restful sleep. Grace can also work with you to create the ideal sleep environment to support quality rest.
Medication management can also be beneficial. If you’re taking medications for general or mental health issues, Grace can review your drug therapy and help you find options that won’t interfere with your nightly rest.
When you’re ready to get started, book your telehealth visit with Grace using our easy online scheduling page, or call our office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to find an appointment time that works for you.
